Tashi was an official at the Municipal Office inn Lhasa. He worked there for 16 years until he was arrested in 1988 for having been involved in underground activities, which include disseminating political literature. He was detained for 10 months in Gutsa prison. He was released due to lack of evidence. He was forced to retire from his official position. Due to constant surveillance by secret police, he came to exile i the summer of 1993.